Sermons, ramblings, and maybe an occasional rant from a Lutheran subject of Jesus Christ.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Advent Season

We have entered a new church year and the season of Advent. Advent means "coming," and we consider two "comings" of Jesus. Naturally, we think of his coming at Christmas. The deadline is on the calendar already -- three short weeks from today!

But we especially think of Jesus' second coming when he will deliver us from all evil and bring us into his glorious, perfect, peaceful, everlasting kingdom. The joy Jesus brought at his first coming makes us yearn for his second coming. He has taken away our sins and has, therefore, prepared us for his kingdom.

As we await the coming of our Lord, we prepare. We keep watch. We wait with prayer and humility.

We will also use this Advent season to slow down for a moment on Wednesday evenings for vespers. December is hectic enough. Vespers lets us meditate, pray, and focus on Christ. This year's Advent Vespers has the theme: "THY KINGDOM COME." We will remember that Christ's kingdom comes ...
... through his word and the Spirit's power. (December 5)
... to put down the devil's kingdom. (December 12)
... so that sin, death, and hell may be exterminated. (December 19)